Where does the new life in Christ come from? Author Tim Wesemann points the way:
Why do I put the cross at arm's length?
When Jesus went to such great lengths to save me?
Why am I blind to those with great needs
When Jesus gave me sight and all that I need?
Why am I such a stumbling block
To God's faithful chosen who live on the Rock?
Change me. Forgive me. Make me brand new.
Wash me. Absolve me. I'll follow You.
Jesus, redeem me. Make me brand new.
Spirit, renew me, Make my heart true.
It's time to run to Calvary's cross -
There to find hope and forgiveness in Jesus.
Why He died for me boggles my mind,
But my Spirit-created faith say than You.
Why I cling to the cross of Christ now
Is because He changed me. Christ made me brand new.
Change me. Forgive me. Make me brand new.
Wash me. Absolve me. I'll follow You.
Jesus, redeem me. Make me brand new.
Spirit, renew me, Make my heart true.
From "Seasons Under the Sun," published by Concordia Publishing House
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Monday, January 29, 2018
On Pills and Needles
Rick Van Warner tells the story of his son's descent into drug use and opioid addiction in his new book, "On Pills and Needles." (Baker Books)
It was a fascinating but difficult book to read.
Van Warner spent thousands and thousands of dollars in an effort to help his son overcome his addiction. Nothing worked. The boy would stay clean for a few days or even a few weeks but then his addiction would rear its ugly head, so to speak, and then Van Warner's family would once again be thrown into chaos.
Van Warner reveals how America is in the opioid mess it is in by exposing how drug companies market drugs like Oxycontin, all in the name of the almighty dollar. He shows how local, state and the national government have contributed to this growing problem by failing to take effective action to get opioids off the streets.
You get a first hand glimpse into how difficult it is to overcome an addiction. You heart goes out to Van Warner and his wife and family as they try to cope with a son and brother who can't be trusted and seems bent on destroying his own life.
In the end, Van Warner discovers that his son doesn't need 12 step recovery groups or expensive rehab facilities. Love, understanding and open and honest communication was what finally helped his son overcome his addiction and a four-year long nightmare.
I appreciated Van Warner's candid honesty. He freely admits his own mistakes in dealing with his son and the effect it had on his wife and family. That he and his wife survived the stress on their marriage is amazing.
Is this a "happily ever after" book? There are no guarantees but the book ends on a hopeful note. And that is enough to ask.
Book provided by Baker Books for review.
It was a fascinating but difficult book to read.
Van Warner spent thousands and thousands of dollars in an effort to help his son overcome his addiction. Nothing worked. The boy would stay clean for a few days or even a few weeks but then his addiction would rear its ugly head, so to speak, and then Van Warner's family would once again be thrown into chaos.
Van Warner reveals how America is in the opioid mess it is in by exposing how drug companies market drugs like Oxycontin, all in the name of the almighty dollar. He shows how local, state and the national government have contributed to this growing problem by failing to take effective action to get opioids off the streets.
You get a first hand glimpse into how difficult it is to overcome an addiction. You heart goes out to Van Warner and his wife and family as they try to cope with a son and brother who can't be trusted and seems bent on destroying his own life.
In the end, Van Warner discovers that his son doesn't need 12 step recovery groups or expensive rehab facilities. Love, understanding and open and honest communication was what finally helped his son overcome his addiction and a four-year long nightmare.
I appreciated Van Warner's candid honesty. He freely admits his own mistakes in dealing with his son and the effect it had on his wife and family. That he and his wife survived the stress on their marriage is amazing.
Is this a "happily ever after" book? There are no guarantees but the book ends on a hopeful note. And that is enough to ask.
Book provided by Baker Books for review.
Today's post from Scary Mommy
Every heard of Scary Mommy? It is a blog which features pregnancy advice and parenting tips for imperfect people. My dear, sweet wife follows Scary Mommy on Instagram and found something that was posted recently to be completely hysterical. It struck a chord with us because we are grandparents. Even if you're not, you'll still get a chuckle (and a heads up for when you become a grandparent!).
Grandparents of one grand child: Of course we'll watch them. Be there is five minutes.
Grandparents of multiple grandchildren: Let me check my schedule. How long will you be gone? Will they already be asleep when we get them? Are they going to do that annoying thing they always do?
We have seven grandkids now and we love spending time with them. But we did find it easier when there was two of us and only one of them! After we've spent time watching two or three of them, we do find the recovery time is equal to the number of children watched. One grandchild - one day. Two grandchildren - two days. Seven grandchildren - two to three day hospital stay! (Just joking!)
Seriously, God has greatly blessed Sherri and I with seven beautiful grandchildren. Each child is unique. Each child is special. I worry sometimes about the world they are going to inherit. Life is so much more difficult and challenging than it was when I was growing up in the fifties and early sixties. I pray every day that God will bless, protect and care for those precious lives. It's a comfort to know that God is faithful and we can trust Him.
Have a blessed day!
Grandparents of one grand child: Of course we'll watch them. Be there is five minutes.
Grandparents of multiple grandchildren: Let me check my schedule. How long will you be gone? Will they already be asleep when we get them? Are they going to do that annoying thing they always do?
We have seven grandkids now and we love spending time with them. But we did find it easier when there was two of us and only one of them! After we've spent time watching two or three of them, we do find the recovery time is equal to the number of children watched. One grandchild - one day. Two grandchildren - two days. Seven grandchildren - two to three day hospital stay! (Just joking!)
Seriously, God has greatly blessed Sherri and I with seven beautiful grandchildren. Each child is unique. Each child is special. I worry sometimes about the world they are going to inherit. Life is so much more difficult and challenging than it was when I was growing up in the fifties and early sixties. I pray every day that God will bless, protect and care for those precious lives. It's a comfort to know that God is faithful and we can trust Him.
Have a blessed day!
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Blown Away By Jesus
"Blown away," was the way my friend, Bill, described himself when someone took their Gideon's Bible and shared Jesus with him. This weekend I'll tell the story of the impact that made on Bill's life.
Come and learn more. Worship takes place today at 5 pm with a communion service; Sunday services are at 8 and 11 am with traditional hymns and at 9:30 am and featuring Modern Christian songs.
Hope to see you at Life in Christ this weekend!
Come and learn more. Worship takes place today at 5 pm with a communion service; Sunday services are at 8 and 11 am with traditional hymns and at 9:30 am and featuring Modern Christian songs.
Hope to see you at Life in Christ this weekend!
Friday, January 26, 2018
A Top Ten Blast from the Past!
Top 10 Signs That You're At A Bad Wedding
10) When just before the service the groom asks to go to the bathroom...and never comes back.
9) When instead of saying, "You may kiss the bride," the pastor says, "Get 'er done!"
8) When the groom and the bride's father get into a fist fight as the bride is given away.
7) When the photographer is asking people, "Anybody got some Kodak film?"
6) When the bride is escorted down the aisle to the tune of "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted."
5) When the invitation indicates that the reception is being held at the Golden Corral.
4) When the music at the reception is being provided by "Al Jones and his Happy Accordian."
3) When the pastor asks the groom for the license and the groom replies, "Hunting or fishing?"
2) When the service stops just before the vows are said because the bride goes into labor.
And the number one sign that you're at a bad wedding:
1) When the service begins late because the groom couldn't make bail!
9) When instead of saying, "You may kiss the bride," the pastor says, "Get 'er done!"
8) When the groom and the bride's father get into a fist fight as the bride is given away.
7) When the photographer is asking people, "Anybody got some Kodak film?"
6) When the bride is escorted down the aisle to the tune of "Stricken, Smitten and Afflicted."
5) When the invitation indicates that the reception is being held at the Golden Corral.
4) When the music at the reception is being provided by "Al Jones and his Happy Accordian."
3) When the pastor asks the groom for the license and the groom replies, "Hunting or fishing?"
2) When the service stops just before the vows are said because the bride goes into labor.
And the number one sign that you're at a bad wedding:
1) When the service begins late because the groom couldn't make bail!
Thursday, January 25, 2018
Building the Body
A fit church is like a fit body. So say Gary L. McIntosh and Phil Stevenson in their new book, "Building the Body."
The authors have taken 12 characteristics which they believe can lead a church to become healthy and fit. They emphasize the importance of evangelism and witness. They show how crucial pastoral and personal leadership is to the church. They highlight how people are seeking community and demonstrate how churches can make connections with both members and those interested in the church.
Each chapter offers practical advice on what a church can do to become more fit. Whether it's a new church plant or a large mega-church, McIntosh and Stevenson give a multitude of ideas for churches to consider.
My only concern is that the importance of the study and knowledge of the Word of God is not mentioned. Jesus said, "Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it." But that admonition doesn't show up in this book. Maybe the authors assumed that we all know the importance of God's Word and so it wasn't all that important to emphasize it. The truth is that the 12 characteristics upon which this book is built all have the roots in God's Word. It's too bad the Bible study, both personal study and in groups, didn't make the cut.
Book provided for review by Baker Books
The authors have taken 12 characteristics which they believe can lead a church to become healthy and fit. They emphasize the importance of evangelism and witness. They show how crucial pastoral and personal leadership is to the church. They highlight how people are seeking community and demonstrate how churches can make connections with both members and those interested in the church.
Each chapter offers practical advice on what a church can do to become more fit. Whether it's a new church plant or a large mega-church, McIntosh and Stevenson give a multitude of ideas for churches to consider.
My only concern is that the importance of the study and knowledge of the Word of God is not mentioned. Jesus said, "Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it." But that admonition doesn't show up in this book. Maybe the authors assumed that we all know the importance of God's Word and so it wasn't all that important to emphasize it. The truth is that the 12 characteristics upon which this book is built all have the roots in God's Word. It's too bad the Bible study, both personal study and in groups, didn't make the cut.
Book provided for review by Baker Books
I'm a little hacked off this morning!
Well, it's another year of losing for our Phoenix Suns. The ownership is asking fans to be patient - give our young players some time, they say, and in a year or two or three we'll have a winning, playoff-contending team.
But I watch these young players and they are so inconsistent. One night they show promise and the next night they show nothing. All of them.
Except one.
Devin Booker is a joy and delight to watch. Only 21 years old, he is the best player on the Suns and one of the best players in the league.
But not good enough to be an All-Star. Really?
He's eighth in the league in scoring, has improved statistically in every other category and is usually the marked man by his opponents. And still he's good for 25 points a game.
Booker was overlooked for the All-Star game. The reason given was that the Suns are a losing team. If you want to be selected to the All-Star team you have to be on a winning team. So Booker will have to watch the game from the bleachers.
I'm glad Jesus doesn't rejects losers.
I think about Matthew the tax collector. He was considered a loser by just about everyone. Jewish tax collectors collecting monies from fellow Jews. It was well known that many tax collectors took advantage of their position, collecting more than was required and keeping the extra for themselves.
Had Jesus met and talked with Matthew at one time or another? Were they acquainted? We don't know but look at Jesus in chapter nine of Matthew's Gospel. Jesus goes up to the tax collector and says two words: "Follow Me." With that, Matthew hands in his resignation and goes off with Jesus.
In the next scene, Jesus is hanging out with Matthew and his friends, mostly other tax collectors. The scene greatly offends the religious elites, the Pharisees. They ask the disciples, "Why does the teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" In other words, why does Jesus hang out with losers, the lowest of the low in society?
Jesus answer is simple and full of good news - "For I came not to call the righteous but sinners."
Jesus came for sinners. He came for tax collectors and for people like you and me. People who fail to keep God's commands. People who regularly fail to trust in God and trust more in ourselves or others. People who somehow think that their works of righteousness make a person acceptable before God.
God says, "There is no one righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10). But Jesus reaches out to those of us who "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).
The self-righteous, those who like the Pharisees who believe that their imperfect works and deeds should somehow impress a perfect God, aren't interested in Jesus or His Word of forgiveness and salvation. They believe they are winners who need no Savior.
But us losers - those of us who know that we have nothing to offer a holy God and would be condemned for our sins - are the ones who Jesus seeks out.
He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become righteous before God. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Even today, most people aspire to hang out with the winners in society - the rich, the powerful, the influential.
But Jesus seeks out us losers, dies in our place, rises from the dead on the third day to declare victory over sin and death and the devil, gives us His perfect righteousness, and assures us that we have a place in the kingdom of God.
One day, Devin Booker will make the All-Star team. One day it will happen.
You and me? We don't have to wait to receive the goodness and mercy of Jesus. It's ours now! All the gifts of God are given to us every time we come into His House. We already have our inheritance. We'll enjoy it in full when Jesus comes again and gathers all believers together and takes us to our heavenly home.
Isn't it great to be a winner - in Jesus!
But I watch these young players and they are so inconsistent. One night they show promise and the next night they show nothing. All of them.
Except one.
Devin Booker is a joy and delight to watch. Only 21 years old, he is the best player on the Suns and one of the best players in the league.
But not good enough to be an All-Star. Really?
He's eighth in the league in scoring, has improved statistically in every other category and is usually the marked man by his opponents. And still he's good for 25 points a game.
Booker was overlooked for the All-Star game. The reason given was that the Suns are a losing team. If you want to be selected to the All-Star team you have to be on a winning team. So Booker will have to watch the game from the bleachers.
I'm glad Jesus doesn't rejects losers.
I think about Matthew the tax collector. He was considered a loser by just about everyone. Jewish tax collectors collecting monies from fellow Jews. It was well known that many tax collectors took advantage of their position, collecting more than was required and keeping the extra for themselves.
Had Jesus met and talked with Matthew at one time or another? Were they acquainted? We don't know but look at Jesus in chapter nine of Matthew's Gospel. Jesus goes up to the tax collector and says two words: "Follow Me." With that, Matthew hands in his resignation and goes off with Jesus.
In the next scene, Jesus is hanging out with Matthew and his friends, mostly other tax collectors. The scene greatly offends the religious elites, the Pharisees. They ask the disciples, "Why does the teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" In other words, why does Jesus hang out with losers, the lowest of the low in society?
Jesus answer is simple and full of good news - "For I came not to call the righteous but sinners."
Jesus came for sinners. He came for tax collectors and for people like you and me. People who fail to keep God's commands. People who regularly fail to trust in God and trust more in ourselves or others. People who somehow think that their works of righteousness make a person acceptable before God.
God says, "There is no one righteous, no, not one." (Romans 3:10). But Jesus reaches out to those of us who "have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23).
The self-righteous, those who like the Pharisees who believe that their imperfect works and deeds should somehow impress a perfect God, aren't interested in Jesus or His Word of forgiveness and salvation. They believe they are winners who need no Savior.
But us losers - those of us who know that we have nothing to offer a holy God and would be condemned for our sins - are the ones who Jesus seeks out.
He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become righteous before God. (see 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Even today, most people aspire to hang out with the winners in society - the rich, the powerful, the influential.
But Jesus seeks out us losers, dies in our place, rises from the dead on the third day to declare victory over sin and death and the devil, gives us His perfect righteousness, and assures us that we have a place in the kingdom of God.
One day, Devin Booker will make the All-Star team. One day it will happen.
You and me? We don't have to wait to receive the goodness and mercy of Jesus. It's ours now! All the gifts of God are given to us every time we come into His House. We already have our inheritance. We'll enjoy it in full when Jesus comes again and gathers all believers together and takes us to our heavenly home.
Isn't it great to be a winner - in Jesus!
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